Vehicle panel mounting device and method of using the same

A mounting jig for temporarily retaining a vehicle panel onto a vehicle body, comprising:

• a base block assembly including a first arm configured to insert into an aperture defined by a first edge surface in the vehicle body;
• an extension assembly including an end that defines an opening configured to receive an end of and slide longitudinally relative to the base block assembly, a handle, and also a second arm configured to insert into an aperture defined by a second edge surface in the vehicle panel;
• and
• an extension spring located in an internal cavity of the mounting jig and coupled at a first mounting jig end to the base block assembly and also coupled at a second mounting jig end to the extension assembly.

A method for coupling a vehicle panel to a vehicle body, comprising:

• placing the vehicle panel in a mounting position on the vehicle body;
• and
• temporarily securing the vehicle panel to the vehicle body, including:
• aligning a first arm located on a first mounting jig end of a mounting jig with a first aperture defined by a first edge surface within the vehicle body and inserting the first arm into the first aperture;
• and
• aligning a second arm located on a second mounting jig end of the mounting jig with a second aperture defined by a second edge surface within the vehicle panel and inserting the second arm into the second aperture.